Mangrove forests are found mainly in saline seagoing areas between 250 latitude 250 south latitudes. Mangrove forests are also found in saline areas, swamps and wetlands in addition to coastal areas.
In India, mangrove forests are found in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha and Andaman Nicobar Islands. Initiative was taken by the Government of India for the protection of mangrove forests in the year 1986. Under this initiative, the process of conservation has been started by identifying 39 mangrove forest areas in the country. According to the Indian Forest Survey 2011 report, the total area of mangrove forests in India is 4662.5 sq km, which is 0.14 percent of the total geographical area of the country. If seen globally, most Mangrove forests are found in Indonesia. In Indonesia, 21 percent of the world's total Mangroves forests are found.
How are mangrove forests economically important?
- In the swampy areas of mangrove forests, many types of organisms receive shelter. Various species of fish are found in them. Thus, by providing these favorable supports for fisheries, the sources of livelihood of people living near them become.
- Many plants of high value are found in mangrove forests. These floras can be used at a commercial level.
- Mangrove forest is also a center for tourism related activities due to being the place of residence of various important animals and animals. It is known that Bengal Tiger is found in the Sunder bans area, which people come from far and wide to see.
- Government also has income due to tourism related activities and local people also get employment opportunities.
Why mangrove forests are the centers of biodiversity?
- Different types of organisms are also found along with various types of vegetation in the Mangrove forests. Thus these forest groups are centers of biodiversity.
- In the Mangrove forests, rhizophyra, abeincia, phoenix, soreneshia, along with palm-rich tree and sweet tree are also found. Most importantly, some important medicinal plants are also found.
- Similarly, many important organisms of microorganisms, algae, fish, shrimp, crab, sea anemone, chital, pig, Bengal tiger and mollusca and anelida communities are also found in mangrove forests.
- Thus, from the above mentioned statement, it is clear that the Mangrove forests are also rich centers of biodiversity along with economic activities.
Conclusion:
It can be concluded that mangrove forest plays an important role in the ecological balance of the coastal region. They also contribute to the protection of wetland. Most of all, due to being financially useful, it is also endowed with bio-diversity perspective.
